The fear I would have with any "jack knife" is that the spring mechanism that holds the knife blade both shut and then open would be quickly corroded and expose the kiter to the danger of a sharp blade unexpectedly swinging out ... or once the blade has swung out, that the blade would not hold in s ...

The following new thread starts out with a discussion about a "jack knife" as a kite knife. The fear I would have with any "jack knife" is that the spring mechanism that holds the knife blade both shut and then open would be quickly corroded and expose the kiter to the danger of a sharp blade unexpe...

It may be time to reconsider the feasibility of the "below the bar recoil type of device", which I described in the Feb 11, 2012 thread: http//www.kiteforum.com/viewtopic.php?f=1&t=2374480 Here are some pictures of the device, ( spring leash safety disconnect.JPG unconnected leash .JPG connected lea...

Finished the V1 version today, I'm about 80% happy with it - see how it goes next windy day. IMG_20160919_190915.jpg For safety reasons, consider putting the black Poly tube back on the line for the Mushroom to slide on. The 2 to 3 inch tubing should be placed between the mushroom and the red ball ...

Pstkk, the downside I can see of using a bigger overlapping cuff is that it needs to move at least its own distance before it releases the pin. Query whether it really makes the set-up more compact. The above is one downside, but another possible downside is that of repositioning the "pin" or "peli...

"...Pstkk, the downside I can see of using a bigger overlapping cuff is that it needs to move at least its own distance before it releases the pin. Query whether it really makes the set-up more compact."... The above is one downside, but another possible downside is that of repositioning the "pin" o...

There are a number of procedures to follow which will lessen the danger of a self-launch going wrong. As an example for the "drag" self launch. It is a good idea to rig your lines down-wind of the kite, so that you can sight along the lines all the way to the kite, to confirm that there are no cross...

I have lots of questions about that set-up. It might be a good idea to "lock the gate" on that snap shackle. It looks like the safety line could get caught at the lock or slip through the shackle at "jam" at the hole in the bar. Maybe you could slip a piece of surgical tubing over the "gate", like i...